The Commission on Elections (Comelec) remains unfazed by the possibility of political unrest ahead of the midterm elections in May.
In an interview, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia assured Filipinos the poll body “is not affected by whatever is happening in the country.”
“We ask everyone to continue maintaining the campaigns in an orderly and trouble-free manner, especially since the local campaign is about to begin on 28 March,” Garcia told reporters.
“How we started the national campaign on 11 February up to now has been smooth and peaceful in various parts of the country and in other parts of the world where there are overseas voters. I hope that will continue,” he said.
Garcia assured that the Comelec will remain impartial and vowed there would be no irregularities or anomalies in the upcoming elections.
The Philippine National Police has placed all its units under heightened security alert in anticipation of protest actions following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte was flown to the Netherlands on Tuesday to face charges of crimes against humanity.